Ghanaian football academy Desire FC has entered into a new international partnership with Italian club Hellas Verona as part of efforts to develop young football talent in Ghana.
The Obuasi-based academy, which established its Youth Sector in 2016, has joined Hellas Verona’s HV Academy project, creating a pathway focused on youth development, football education and cultural exchange.
Desire FC currently has several youth teams ranging from the U15 to U21 levels and has continued to invest in developing young players within the Obuasi community. The academy’s work has already resulted in some of its promising talents earning call-ups to regional representative teams.
The partnership was highlighted during a visit by a Desire FC delegation to Hellas Verona’s headquarters on Wednesday, September 30. The delegation included club president Sammy Appiah and Sporting Director Salvatore Zito, who presented a Desire FC shirt to the Italian club.
Appiah, a fan of Italian football, expressed his excitement about the collaboration and visiting Verona.
“I am a great fan of Italian football and I have followed Verona over the years. Several Ghanaian players have played in this city, such as Sulemana, for example. It is a great emotion for me to be here; we follow the team with great affection.”
Zito also described the partnership as an important opportunity for young people in the Ashanti Region, expressing hope that the project will use football as a pathway for development and inspire the next generation of Ghanaian players.